This latest installment in New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore's beloved fantasy saga, The Companions moves Salvatore's signature hero Drizzt into a new era of the Forgotten Realms. As Drizzt's fate hangs in the balance, he reflects on the lives of the trusted allies who stood by his side throughout his early life - the friends now known as the Companions of the Hall. Meanwhile, the first stirrings of the Sundering begin.

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Publisher's Summary

This latest installment in New York Times best-selling author R.A. Salvatore's beloved fantasy saga, The Companions moves Salvatore's signature hero Drizzt into a new era of the Forgotten Realms. As Drizzt's fate hangs in the balance, he reflects on the lives of the trusted allies who stood by his side throughout his early life - the friends now known as the Companions of the Hall. Meanwhile, the first stirrings of the Sundering begin.

What the Critics Say

"The Companions is the best novel [R.A.] Salvatore has ever written. It's insanely courageous, profoundly powerful, masterfully constructed, and easily Salvatore's most ambitious work to date." (Paul Goat Allen, BarnesandNoble.com)

"After a quarter of a century, R.A. Salvatore just keeps getting better and better, and The Companions is another masterful leap forward for one of the greatest fantasy epics of all time." (Philip Athans, best-selling author of Annihilation and The Haunting of Dragon's Cliff)

I have been reading Salvatore's books since the early '90's when I picked up the Crystal Shard, and he has remained one of my all time favorite authors. Lots of action and lots of story building. He has made such an impact on Faerun over the years, campaigns would not have been the same without his influence. This, book one of the Sundering, is the most exciting book since the Crystal Shard. This book sets the stage for the 'rebirth' of Faerun and the return of the Gods and magic. The Companions of the Hall are reunited and it was not cheesy at all.I'm glad to hear Mr. Bevine is the narrator again. He does a fantastic job and I look forward to hearing more from him. I can't wait to see what adventures befall the Companions in the next book. As with all of Salvatore's books, this one is well worth the credit. CAUTION: If you have not played D&D for a number of years, this novel may make you want to blow the dust off your books and call up your old adventuring party. Faerun is going to get really really interesting.

From my reading history my perfect book would include; a space ship piloted by Ender Wiggin, that is infested by Zombies, who are being hunted by Drizzt Do'Urden and Lestat, while Joe Ledger and Amy Harper Bellafonte try to keep the ship from distroying Middleguard. The Sequal would be from Bean's perspective, with an epilogue by Malcolm Gladwell.

After reading the first 24 books in the series getting the 25th was a no brainer. After the appropriately gloomy Neverwinter series this new addition to the series is pleasantly upbeat. The plot is incredibly original and I think the book is a great edition to the series and I will be looking forward to the release of the next one.

There is a problem with this book that I don't like, one of the characters acts in ways that is out of sync with everything else written about them. And while I was listening I kept thinking that it didn't make any sense dispite Salvatore's explanations for the behavior. And I get characters and authors change over time but this kind of seemed unrealistic even for a series that once had a rhyming dwarf in it. I also skipped all of the monolauges in between the Acts of the books because they have been over the top melo drama for a while now or always... probably always. Fictional violence is always the best way to solve fictional problems.

If you haven't read any books from the other series concerning this cast of characters you will be lost. This is the 25th book of the main series and the 27th if you include the parallel series that stems from servant of the shard. While the author does have a few reminders of what happened before scattered around the book it is not nearly enough. But this is an excellent series and the old books are being converted to audio. Start with Homeland, it is great and for the most part they all are. Just remember you're aloud to ship ahead chapters because Salvatore has always ended chapters in cliff hangers only to be followed by three chapters divoted to people on the other side of the world.

If you have been avoiding The Dark Elf series because it's too popular. I strongly recommend 2666 by Roberto Bolaño. 2666 is an absolutely horrible book that no one likes, because it is horrible.

The Companions is Mr. Salvatore's best work. It fulfills all the promise of the 2 original trilogies. It seems like Mr. Salvatore has reclaimed his love of the Forgotten Realms, and the amazing mythology and characters he has created for the world of Faerun. If you were disappointed by the more recent Drizzt books, but loved the first 6, pick up The Last Threshold (to catch you up to the current story, for a 4th book it is a surprisingly good starting point) and The Sundering. This was my favorite of R.A. Salvatore's books to date.

The world is changing. That is the theme of The Sundering, the new series from Forgotten Realms. In this six book series the writers promise us new and world changing events. The first novel in this series is The Companions by R. A. Salvatore. As a fan of the Drizzt series of novels I was very excited when I saw this title.

First with The Dragon King and then in Gauntlgrym the friends of Drizzt knows as The Companions of the Hall died. It was heartbreaking to lose these characters. In the following three books Drizzt spends his time trying to come to grips with his loss and move on. Little did we know that something this special and amazing was in store.

There are so many surprises and changes in this book that it is hard to review. I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises. Let us just say that we get to see our favorite companions again. They have been sent back with a mission. They must help Drizzt in his greatest struggle. Their path back will be strange. It will be dangerous. As they move through the challenges before them they grow and mature in new and powerful ways.

Salvatore uses this book to really develop the characters of the Companions. After reading this book I can’t wait to see how the story continues. To avoid spoiling the story I won’t say much about the plot. I will say that this is one of Salvatore’s best novels to date and it made me laugh, it made my cry, and it left me wanting more. If you are a fan of the Drizzt novels then I suggest you buy this book now.

One of my favorite series of books is The Legend of Drizzt by R.R. Salvatore. Even if you are not a fan of Dungeons and Dragons this epic series is one of the best ever written. If you haven't read any of the books you need to stop here and start with the first book called Homeland. For you fans it is good to see the companions make a come back to be together again. This book does not contain much as far as Drizzt is concerned but it was interesting to see how Mr. Salvatore was going to get Catti-brie, Bruenor, and Regis back from the dead. But all things are possible when the God's step in.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Companions?

I think the separate journeys the three take helps reshapes their lives and exercise some of the demons they had before their deaths. When they finally make their way back to rescue Drizzt the little suprise at the end was a nice touch.

What does Victor Bevine bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have always loved Victor's work in the series because of his ability to capture the raw emotion of the scenes. As he reads I can feel the pain and joy of the characters as they go through their different journeys. Another masterful job.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had enough time to sit through it all in one sitting you bet I would.

Where does The Companions rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Companions?

Rumblebelly's story, especially the beginning where he mimics the 'Lion' from the Wizard of Oz.

Have you listened to any of Victor Bevine’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A fresh version of an old storyline

Any additional comments?

I was very interested in seeing how the author overcame the fact that everyone had died and had to be reborn with all their prior memories. He did a very good job on everyone except Battleaxe. I felt the whole 'being mad' until he spoke with Pwent was just not in his character, based on his prior books. He just never would have placed his feelings for Drizzzt the far below, especially for 20 years.

Where does The Companions rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I'm a big fan of the heroes of RA Salvatore's creation in the wonderful world of D&D. I started from the beginning with Regis Rumblebelly, Bruenor, Drizzt, Catterbrie, and Wulfgar graced us in the crystal shard series.

I'm a fantasy author myself and consider Mr. Salvatore a mentor. There was a time that his books dipped down in creativity and storyline and especially when he started killing off the companions we have all grown to love, but with this new book he really brought it all home. I enjoyed it from page one all the way to the end and long for more.

With every book an author writes there is usually something that the author over uses in verbiage and that one phrase in this book was, "He swallowed hard." RA Salvatore, if you are reading this then you know exactly what I mean...us authors can't catch everything but I laughed everytime it was said cause it was the one thing over used....just a small nit-pick.

I am so pleased to have the Companions back together again! Well done!

That was just what i needed!I listen to the books at work, when alone or driving, fortunately i was able to finish this book in 2 days, i could not leave it once i began.

I will be honest i havnt liked the books in the Neverwinter trilogy much, Last Threshold was not too bad. I also wasnt sure i could forgive RA Salvatore for making good old proud Pwent into a vampire without any seemingly deeper meaning. Some of us are sentimental you know.

Little did i realize it was all a plot heheI was dubious about the idea of reincarnation of the heroes, they did so well in life and how could a new life live up to that.

Again i was proven wrongAmazing book!Back with the swing of a notched axe!

I wont bring any spoilers but it brought me back to the days of the halflings gem, only this time i already love the characters and been thru so much.

Extremely well done Mr. Salvatore

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